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On How A German World Cup Win Could Lead To Scottish Independence
When I worked at the Scottish Parliament about 14 years ago, I had a fanciful conversation with a senior MSP about what effect a Scottish World Cup win would have on a vote for independence. My feeling was that if it happened on the eve of a referendum, the feel-good factor of such an, admittedly […]
Pete Reid
July 6, 2014
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Indelible Ink: Frank Kuppner’s ‘A Very Quiet Street’
The history of Polygon Books is one of the most interesting in Scottish publishing. From its beginnings as an arm of Edinburgh University Press it quickly became known as a home for experimental and challenging writing, something it still does better than most to this day. Frank Kuppner’s 1989 novel, ‘A Very Quiet Street’ is […]
Alistair Braidwood
June 9, 2014
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Indelible Ink: Margaret Elphinstone’s ‘Hy Brasil’
Could a small nation, with a history of being part of a larger whole, become independent with its own version of the pound and its own parliament, no army, but under the protection of NATO due to its strategic position? Could it not only survive, but thrive? It’s an intriguing question, and anyone interested in […]
Alistair Braidwood
March 6, 2014
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Scotland at SXSW 2014 – Interview with Casual Sex
Some time ago, I used to publish a new interview every Friday here on these pages. I got out of the habit and it has taken something very special to bring the Friday Interview back. Glasgow’s Casual Sex are one of the most exciting new bands to emerge from Scotland in recent years. And they […]
Pete Reid
February 21, 2014
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Announcing the Winner of the Dear Scotland Writing Competition
Thank you to everyone who entered our first writing competition this year. It was genuinely thrilling to read the stories and poems as they came in and I know that the judges, Vic Galloway, Nina de la Mer, and Alistair Braidwood, had an enjoyably difficult time picking a winner.
Pete Reid
December 23, 2013
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The Dear Scotland Xmas Video
It’s that time of year again. A very special Christmas video, featuring a very Scottish Santa:
Pete Reid
December 13, 2013
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Dear Scotland Writing Competition: Win 50 of the Greatest Scottish Novels
Next month sees the 50th edition of Indelible Ink, Dear Scotland’s monthly column on the best of Scottish writing. In an act which can only be described as impulsive, Pete Reid, Editor of Dear Scotland has just bought all 50 books featured since the first column was published four years ago. From ‘Morvern Callar’ to […]
Alistair Braidwood
November 5, 2013
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Indelible Ink: Leila Aboulela’s ‘The Translator’
One of the best things about reading books written in and of the country you live in is that they give you new perspectives on the familiar and everyday, making you look again at places and people you had long since taken for granted. In the last few years I have read work by English, […]
Alistair Braidwood
November 4, 2013
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Scotland at SXSW 2014 – Round One of Announcements Includes 2 Scottish Bands
The first round of SXSW Music Festival artist announcements is here earlier than ever and it includes 2 bands from Scotland. It was announced today that Casual Sex and Saor Patrol have been invited to play in Austin next March.
Pete Reid
October 16, 2013